Neutralization of TGFβ improves tumor immunity and reduces tumor progression in ovarian carcinoma

Abstract

The immunosuppressive effects of TGFβ promotes tumor progression and diminishes response to therapy. In this study, we used ID8-p53⁻/⁻ tumors as a murine model of high-grade serous ovarian cancer. An mAb targeting all three TGFβ ligands was used to neutralize TGFβ. Ascites and omentum were collected and changes in T-cell response were measured using flow. Treatment with anti-TGFβ therapy every other day following injection of tumor cells resulted in decreased ascites volume (4.1 mL vs. 0.7 mL; P < 0.001) and improved the CD8:Treg ratio (0.37 vs. 2.5; P = 0.02) compared with untreated mice. A single dose of therapy prior to tumor challenge resulted in a similar reduction of ascites volume (2.7 vs. 0.67 mL; P = 0.002) and increased CD8:Tregs ratio (0.36 vs. 1.49; P = 0.007), while also significantly reducing omental weight (114.9 mg vs. 93.4 mg; P = 0.017). Beginning treatment before inoculation with tumor cells and continuing for 6 weeks, we observe similar changes and prolonged overall survival (median 70 days vs. 57.5 days). TGFβ neutralization results in favorable changes to the T-cell response within the tumor microenvironment, leading to decreased tumor progression in ovarian cancer. The utilization of anti-TGFβ therapy may be an option for management in patients with ovarian cancer to improve clinical outcomes and warrants further investigation.